Choice and Chances

II: Phone Number

II

Je Hoon made his entrance to a friend's house. Due to the scandal, reporters were packed at his place as well as at his parents' and manager's. There was no way he could come home at this time so he asked a friend for favor; to stay just until midnight.

A man who stands 183cm, sharp eyes, and oozing with charisma walked towards him with a cup of green tea in both hands. He sat on the couch next to the long couch Je Hoon was occupying. "Here," he placed one cup of tea near him while he still held the other. "It will help relieve stress," he said sipping on his own cup.

Je Hoon sat down from lying, "Thanks Jun Yeol." He and Junyeol recently got close since they worked together for a reality show. It's not easy to keep in touch with co-stars due to different schedules, but it wasn't difficult for them to stay close up till now.

Seeing how Je Hoon was in deep thought, "What's in there?" he asked without looking at his friend. Je Hoon did not quite catch up and asked for pardon, raising both brows in confusion.

Jun Yeol shifted his gaze from his cup to him, "There," he referred to his head. "Or should I say, who's in there?" he continued, emphasizing "who" in his question.

Je Hoon lowered his head, eyes on the steaming cup he was holding in between his hands. "Just... some thoughts." He didn't say much and he doesn't need to for Jun Yeol to see through him.

"It's her? The one you talked about when we were in Cuba," he stated already believing he was right. Je Hoon did not confirm nor deny; he doesn't have the energy to do any of it, he just stayed silent and for Jun Yeol that was a silent confirmation that he guessed it right.

Jun Yeol let the silence took over them. He didn't bother prying for details; if anything, he understood him. It didn't take much than expected when Je Hoon finally talked, "I called her to ask if she's okay, thought I know she's probably not."

Two ears ready to listen to a friend, Jun Yeol didn't say anything and just let him say whatever he wanted to say. He nodded subtly to let him know he was listening even though Je Hoon's eyes are fixed on his cup and won't see it.

"I called her but I couldn't bring myself to speak." His lips started to curl upwards in a smile, yet a sad smile. "Then I heard her voice, it's the closest to hearing it in person after so long."

For the first time since Jun Yeol brought up the topic, Je Hoon looked at him. Surprisingly he did so well at hiding his emotions, "Now I think my reason for calling is just an excuse to hear her voice."

Je Hoon actually had her phone number since that night 'Architecture: Chapter One' casts reunion.

May 2016

Seated across each, Je Hoon and Yeon Seok were having small talks while waiting for the others to arrive. Few minutes later Jo Jung Suk announced his arrival, "Look who's here!" his voice was loud as he was still at a distance. Excitedly they turned to him.

"It's been long," Yeon Seok said.

Jung Suk greeted them with a manly side hug; he scanned with his eyes the small surrounding in front of him and wondered, "Are there only the three of us?" he asked.

"Director Lee says he'll come later," Yoon Seok informed.

He nodded and sat beside Je Hoon, who's secretly waiting for someone. "Ga In? Chae Won? Are the ladies not coming?" he continued to ask.

Yoon Seok produced small 'mm' sound as he looks to no one in particular, "Chaewon can't."

Je Hoon felt conflicted. Is it better this way, he won't have to see her? He pondered. It has been two years since they separated ways, and they haven't seen each other since. It's not helping that one of the reason of their fall out was this man in front of him, someone he was friends with, Yoo Yeon Seok.